Curveball: A Second Chance Romance (Double Play Series Book 1)

by Nicole Rodrigues

  “I'm close, Charlotte,” he says, pushing his body harder on top of mine.

  His strong hands spreading my ass cheeks make me whimper and his small patch of hair rubbing against my clit is my undoing.

  “God yes...so close,” I murmer.

  His grip on my ass tightens as, he empties himself inside me. He continues to pump, as my orgasm takes me. My legs warm all the way to my toes and they feel numb.

  He collapses to the side of the bed, pulling me to lay on his chest. We're silent for a couple of minutes and Gabriel gets up, puts his jeans on and leaves the room.

  I sit up on my elbows, pulling the sheet over my body and confusion paints my face. Is he upset about the baby conversation? I mentally kick myself for being so unsympathetic. He missed his own kid's childhood and he's asking me for a redo. He wants to be there this time and I discouraged it. I lay back in the bed, dropping my head on the pillow and chastise myself.

  The door opens, and I pull the sheet up quickly, but relax when I realize it's just Gabriel. I love having the kids home, but it will be nice when it's just Gabriel and me. Of course, with another baby, it wouldn't be that way...

  “Where'd you go?” I ask.

  “Grabbed somethin’ to clean you up with,” he says, holding up a small rag.

  I smile and he moves to the bed, sitting on the side, moving the sheet down to clean me up.

  “Let's try for another baby,” I say, grabbing his wrist.

  He looks up at me, wide eyed and the smile on his face breaks out, like a kid that was just promised a trip to Disneyland.

  “You serious? You sure?” he asks quickly.

  I nod, and he tackles me to the bed playfully, making me shriek.

  “The kids,” I say whispering.

  “Have their headphones in,” he smirks. “I might have knocked on their door to see what they thought of a little brother or sister,” he says quickly.

  I smack his chest and he laughs.

  “You didn't!”

  “They had their headphones on since they got into their room and said if that's code for ‘we’re tryin’ to make a baby tonight’, then their headphones are stayin’ firmly in place.”

  “Oh God!” I say, shaking my head.

  “They're gonna be very happy when they head back outta this house,” he says smiling.

  “I was just thinkin’ the same thing,” I say smiling back. “I love you, Gabriel.”

  “I love you too, baby cakes. So damn much,” he says kissing me.

  “Are you sure about all of this? Givin’ up the game?”

  “Ball is just a game Charlotte, you're my world. You and our kids make me happy, this is what I want.”

  I smile at his words and a tear drips down my cheek.

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  He smiles and moves under the sheets with me and we tried for that baby again...and then one more time in the morning.

  Epilogue

  Charlotte

  Six months later…

  I look at my reflection in the mirror and no amount of foundation can cover the paleness in my face. I look like a train wreck. I hear a soft knock on the door and Savannah comes in, her light brown hair in a curly side ponytail and her teal strapless gown hugs her body beautifully.

  “Charlie, you look--”

  “Terrible, I know. Can you help?” I sob, tears starting to form in my eyes.

  This has been happening a lot lately, and I hate it.

  “No, oh gosh Charlotte, what's the matter? You look beautiful!” she says, rushing to my side.

  She hands me a tissue and puts a hand on my shoulder.

  “I just...I…”

  I can't tell her before I tell Gabriel.

  “I'm fine I just need...to puke...shit!”

  I run to the bathroom inside my suite, Savannah trailing behind me as I vomit into the toilet. She holds back my hair and I try not to get any vomit on my dress. I lean up and wash out my mouth in the sink, cleaning the makeup from under my eyes. I look in the mirror and smile.

  My dress has lace off the shoulder straps that follow the dress all around the front, and back down the train. It's classy and elegant and it fits like a glove. My hair is down and curly and my veil is perfectly in place at the crown of my head. I see Savannah from behind me in the mirror and she smiles.

  “That don't look like the ‘I just puked because I'm so nervous look’. You ain't sick right?”

  She squeezes my shoulders and I smile turning towards her, shaking my head. She squeals and claps her hands together and I giggle.

  “I haven't told him yet so...keep it a secret for a little while longer,” I say hugging her.

  “My lips are sealed sis!”

  I laugh and look at her. She has been such an amazing friend and aunt to the kids. She deserves all the happiness in the world and my heart breaks that she hasn't found it yet.

  “I'm gonna spoil the crap outta this kid,” she beams, putting her hand on my flat belly.

  “You already spoil the other two rotten, I can't imagine a baby,” I say shaking my head.

  Her face falls slightly and I back track, thinking about what I said wrong.

  “Hey, what's wrong?”

  “No, nothin’,” she says smiling again, shaking off her previous expression.

  “I have an idea,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.

  “No! Charlie, don't even think about it!”

  “I'm not gonna set you up, but here take this. Don't think I've been missin’ the heat between you and Jackson. It ain't a weddin’ unless you bang a groomsman!” I say, putting a condom in her hand.

  “Where the hell...you know what, forget it. I don't wanna know. Can we get you married already?”

  “I might need a bucket to get down the aisle,” I say, holding my stomach again.

  “I'll bring a bag. Let's go future Mrs. Gavinwood!”

  Gabriel

  I shuffle my weight from one foot to the other as I wait at the head of the aisle. I look out into the crowd of the church and look at all the faces of friends and family that I shut out for most of my life.

  The past year has been incredible with Charlotte and the kids. Realizing how much I missed, was a swift kick in the ass. I spend my time differently now, cherishing every single second that I have with my family.

  I look up and see my parents, making their way down the aisle. My mother smiles at me and my dad winks. They've really taken to being grandparents. They mentioned to Savannah that they might want to sell their house in Florida to buy something in town. They are slowly mending the bridge of friendship that they had with Charlotte's parents and it's been fun to have the whole crew back together.

  My parents are followed by Charlotte's mother and Tony. He is such an integral part in Devin’s baseball career, I had to have him as a groomsman. He's been the closest thing to a friend I've had all these years, and he is very important to me.

  Mikey and Caryann are next down the aisle. They've been such great friends to Charlotte, and used to be such good friends to me, in high school. We're getting back to that place, slowly, but having them in the wedding has been a little like old times.

  Devin is next down the aisle, escorting Bella, and my heart hammers in my chest. Bella looks beautiful, and so grown up. I hold back the tears threatening to break free. She smiles and stops in front of me to give me a hug. She has been absolutely crushing it at State and is trying out for the national team soon. It's amazing watching her out on the field, wearing that gold and purple.

  Devin, in his dark grey tux with teal tie, dark blonde hair, styled to the side looks the spitting imagine of me. I pull him in for a hug and he slaps my back. He's made a name for himself and rumor has it that he'll be moving up the ladder pretty soon.

  I glance down the aisle again and see my sister and Jackson, arm and arm. He's been a great friend to me the past couple of months and I know he's a great guy, but seeing him next to my sister stirs something inside me. It's not the same as
seeing her next to that ex-asshat, but I still don't like it.

  I remember her days hanging around the team when I played rookie ball, and briefly try and recall if there was anything there between the two of them. Jackson is a good guy, but she's still my baby sister, even if it is only by a minute and a half.

  I smile at the both of them and look down to the church doors and the world stops. Everyone inside the church blurs and my blinders are on to the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. My girl, the one who endured so much adversity throughout our time apart, raised two amazing kids and she is walking down this aisle, to me.

  The tears I held in a couple of minutes ago break free, and I feel one trickle down my clean-shaven face. I wipe it quickly and smile, until I see her face and I step forward.

  “Charlotte, what's wrong?” I ask, reaching for her.

  Her father stops and looks to her and I feel someone push in between us. Savannah opens a plastic bag and Charlotte vomits right into it. Savannah holds her hair back and I move to her side, pushing her hair away from her face. She shakes her head and Savannah moves the bag away, tying it up and passing Charlotte a piece of gum. She rubs her back and smiles and then looks over to me. She kisses my cheek and walks to the side of the church to dispose of the bag.

  I look over to Charlotte, just as confused as her father, as he shakes my hand and I lead her up the steps to the altar.

  “Are you okay?” I ask concerned.

  I put my hand on her cheek and she burrows into it, closing her eyes.

  “I'm pregnant,” she whispers. She opens her eyes and they lock on mine and she smiles. “Surprise.”

  “Are you serious right now?” I ask, holding my breath.

  We've been leaving it in God's hands and each month has led to disappointment. We've pretty much accepted the fact that it was going to be harder than what we thought and were looking into fertility treatments but hadn't decide on anything yet.

  She nods her head and tears start flowing down her cheeks.

  “You ready for this?” she asks.

  I can hear the uncertainty in her voice. This will be her second time through, but my first. She knows what to expect, while I have no idea.

  “We’re havin’ a baby!” I yell to the church.

  Our friends and family clap and whistle and I look over to Devin and Bella. Bella has her hand over her mouth and Devin’s eyes are as big as a bugs’.

  “Y'all ready for that?” I ask laughing.

  Bella nods her head furiously and Devin smirks, giving the thumbs up. I reach for Charlotte and wrap my hands around her waist.

  “I love you so much, baby cakes,” I whisper to her.

  “I love you too.”

  “When are you due?”

  “I'm actually already 12 weeks so Christmas time,” she says, putting a hand to her belly.

  “Our good luck holiday,” I gush.

  I slam my lips to hers and I smile against her mouth. Everything I missed with Bella and Devin, I now get to experience with this new baby and the excitement flows through my body, causing me to lift Charlotte in the air and spin her around. The applause echoes throughout the church and Charlotte slaps my shoulder.

  “You're gonna make me puke again, put me down Gabe!”

  “Sorry, sorry,” I say, putting her back on her feet.

  I kneel down in front of her and kiss her stomach.

  “Behave for your mama for a little while. I gotta marry her first, alright kiddo? Wait, it is just one kiddo, right?”

  She nods, laughing at my pale face and I get to my feet again.

  “Okay, ready to go Father!” I say.

  The priest nods and I grab Charlotte's hand as I finally make her my wife.

  Charlotte

  I take a sip from my water and look out on the dance floor. I see Bella dancing with Gabriel and it's unreal. I never thought I would see this day come, but here it is. I am Mrs. Gavinwood.

  “Come on Mama, let's show ‘em how it's done,” Devin says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

  He extends his hand out and I smile, grabbing it. We make our way out to the dance floor and move closer to Gabriel and Bella.

  “So, we gonna find out what the tiebreaker is or you gonna make us wait?” Bella asks.

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  Gabriel and I answer differently at the same time.

  “Hey, I’m carryin’ your third baby, I decide! Plus, I didn't find out with the twins, it would be nice to be prepared for this one,” I say.

  “You're right,” Gabriel says, reaching for me, switching partners.

  Devin spins Bella and Gabriel's arm goes around my waist. He slides it lower as his lips skim my neck.

  “This dress looks absolutely beautiful on you, but I can't wait to see what it looks like on the floor.”

  “You're so corny,” I laugh.

  “Corny or horny?”

  “Stop,” I laugh again, smacking his arm. “Wanna come grab a drink with me? I'm so thirsty,” I say.

  Gabriel nods and we walk off the dance floor towards the bar.

  I lean against the bar, sipping my water and I feel the nausea start to creep up again.

  “Bathroom,” I say quickly.

  I jog quick and bust open the last stall and throw up, barely making it into the toilet. I lean against the wall, grabbing a piece of toilet paper and wipe my mouth. I'm about to open the stall when I hear the bathroom door slam open and lock, as two voices laugh.

  “I don't do this. I never do this, ever. I don't ever do this,” says a familiar voice.

  “Me either. You look so hot in this dress,” says another familiar voice.

  “You look so hot in this tux.”

  Savannah. Oh. My. God.

  “Wrap your legs around me...oh God, you feel so good.”

  Jackson! Oh Lord have mercy, how did I get stuck in the middle of this?

  “I’ve wanted this for so long. Don't stop, I'm so close...oh God, my God!”

  “Shh...someone is gonna hear us.”

  Yes, good thinking Jackson, because this is a public bathroom!

  “It's been...oh my...it's been too long. Fuck, it's never felt...yessssss.”

  I cover my ears and try to block out the sounds, but I still hear their moans and groans. A couple of minutes later when I think I hear silence, I take my hands off my ears.

  “That was amazin’.”

  “So good. Wait, you have a little lipstick on your collar,” Savannah laughs.

  “I...Savannah, this can't. I mean this was just a one-time thing, right?”

  Oh God, no! Jackson, you idiot!

  “Ye...yeah of course,” Savannah says stuttering.

  “Scratchin’ that itch, after all these years, right?” Jackson says.

  I can tell he's smiling, and I want to slap him right across the face, if Savannah doesn't do it first.

  “Right, yeah,” she says, nervous laughing.

  “Did I live up to the hype?” he asks slowly.

  “Of course you did.”

  I can hear the emotion in her voice and it kills me to sit here and not run to her rescue. There's silence and then the door is opened, and then closed again. I run to wash my hands and get out of the bathroom, looking for Savannah.

  “There's my wife,” Gabriel growls in my ear. “Let's go consummate our marriage.”

  “Ohhh the romantic,” I laugh.

  I turn in his arms and kiss his lips softly.

  “Is Jackson an asshole?”

  “Nah, he's a good guy and he's a great dad. Why do ya ask?” Gabriel asks skeptically.

  “Just um...just wonderin’, for a friend.”

  “I am way too blinded by lust to wonder what shenanigans you're up to, but when the fog clears, we're discussin’ this. Let's go Mrs. Gavinwood.”

  “Lead the way husband.”

  “Ohhh. I like the way that sounds!” he says lifting me off my feet.

  I giggle and he carries me through
the hall and up the stairs. Luckily, we reserved a room on the top floor of the bed and breakfast where we had the reception, so Gabriel climbs the stairs like a man possessed. He reaches in his front pocket for the key and opens the door, as he carries me across the threshold.